Night market starts tonight

CEBU, Philippines - At least 200 stalls are expected to be installed tonight in Colon Street for another round of night market in Cebu City.

George Chu, director of the Cebu City Downtown Revitalization Project, said the project aims to bring back the people in the downtown area, which is the oldest street in the country and used to be the center of trade, commerce, and industry decades ago.

“We also want to help and give more opportunities for the poor Muslims and Christians who cannot afford to rent buildings para sa ilang business,” Chu said.

Now on its eight year, Chu said they are still trying to improve the project.

 “Among gipagamyan ang atong stalls karon para dako og space sa center and in case of emergencies, dali ra maagian,” he said.

The night market, the third this year, will be enjoyed by the public for 28 days. Cebu City Mayor Michael Rama has initiated the project in 2007, and will happen four times a year.

“The night market is open at 6:30 p.m. to 12:30 a. m. We also want man gud nga ma-clear na ang area before ma-open na ang dalan,” he said, adding that the location would still be along City Savings Bank Colon Branch to the Gaisano Main Mall areas.

He said that the public would enjoy buying different products at low price. The first time Colon was open for night market this year was during the Sinulog in January. It was also opened in May as part of the Cebu Business month.

The street will once again host the night market on November until December. Cebu City Traffic Operations Management warned of traffic congestions in some streets as a result of the closure of Colon Street for the night market.

CITOM operations head Joy Tumulak said that traffic congestions are expected in Sanciangko Street, portion of Osmeña Boulevard corner Sanciangko Street, and P. Lopez corner Colon Street. Tumulak said the congestion will start at 5:30 p.m.

“Same ra gihapon atong rerouting. Pila na katuig na gihimo and kahibaw na pod atong motorists and ang mga pasahero sa atong rerouting,” he said.— (FREEMAN)